Likud MK Uzi Landau, leader of the anti-disengagement camp within the Likud, was interviewed on Voice of Israel's Morning Magazine program by anchor Aryeh Golan.
The talk calmly began with the topic of Landau's possible run for Likud leader, but quickly turned into a heated exchange regarding accusations by Landau that the press does not demand answers from the Prime Minister.
Asked if he plans to run against Sharon, Landau – who was fired from the Cabinet by Sharon several months ago for his anti-expulsion positions - said, "One thing has to be clear: Prime Minister Sharon will not be the lone candidate running for head of the Likud. He is now heading a government that is rebelling against the Likud."
Aryeh Golan: There is also Binyamin Netanyahu [who might run for Likud head]...
UL: ...I will make my decision when the time comes. But what truly bothers me, with all the questions that you are asking me, and they are important questions, is why the press does not ask questions of the Prime Minister.
AG: – Well, you asked me that already –
UL: – and I am still not receiving any answers.
AG: – Well, this morning I would like to discuss you, Mr. Landau -
UL: – I am happy, but you have to ask the Prime Minister [Golan is talking at the same time] where he is leading us with his policies.
AG: - I have marked down the questions that you would like me to ask the Prime Minister –
UL: – You just talked a moment ago about the Hamas [the report stated that Hamas refuses to disarm, that Israel allowed Hamas members to take part in the talks in Egypt, that Hamas will run in the coming Palestinian Authority elections, and that a strengthened Hamas will be part of the Palestinian Authority coalition and possibly part of the negotiating team – ed.]. Why doesn't anyone ask the Prime Minister why our government did not intervene just a few months ago when Hamas took part in the elections in violation of the Oslo Agreement – and in opposition to the government's position? Why doesn't the Prime Minister raise his voice now when Hamas is bidding for a position within the Palestinian Authority National Council? They promised us disengagement! But now we hear from Peres that thousands of them [Arabs from Gaza] will come here to work by us! What type of disengagement is this? He has to give us some answers!
AG: Mr. Landau, this is not the topic of our discussion, I'm sorry.
UL: – I must tell you that the main subject on our agenda is why the PM doesn't give an accounting of what he does, and why the media allow him to systematically evade giving such an accounting? Why do they allow him to make declarations without having to answer questions? A press that respects itself –
AG: – But look, you're also not answering questions!
UL: – You know what? Invite the PM [on air] and ask him questions! It can't be that we only hear his declarations –
AG: – I hereby at this moment invite the Prime Minister, Mr. Sharon, to be interviewed on our Morning Magazine. By the way, we do this every day.
UL: – and tell him something else: that if he doesn't appear, you won't publicize his declarations. Just three days ago, he blamed a large group in the Likud of planning to topple the government. He can malign, and the media give him [an open microphone], and no one comes and asks him hard questions... It turns out that it's easier for the Prime Minister to give up parts of our homeland and uproot settlers from their homes, than it is for him to engage in dialogue with people in his own party. You know, a few months ago, we [the 13 Likud "loyalists" who oppose the disengagement plan] made a decision to vote in favor of the budget on its first reading, and we said that this was an opportunity for dialogue [with the Prime Minister] to see how we can bridge the gaps, how we can get a referendum... Why doesn't he go to the public, and why doesn't he sit down [with us] and engage in negotiations? The press must ask him these questions!
AG: OK, so you asked, and let's see if you get an answer, like we do.
UL: (sarcastically) Thank you very much.
AG: (in kind) You're welcome.
Political analyst Dr. Aaron Lerner of IMRA noted that Mr. Sharon's last broadcast interview was a long television interview last month with comedian Eli Yatzpan, who openly states that he "adores" Sharon. "Yatzpan's most hard-hitting question was how he puts up with having opponents in the Likud Party," Lerner writes.
Respected Israeli journalist Nahum Barnea, writing in the most recent edition of the monthly media publication "The Seventh Eye," admitted that most of the Israeli media has acted more like the watch dog of the disengagement plan than that of democracy. He wrote that this mistake should be acknowledged now, before it gets worse.
The talk calmly began with the topic of Landau's possible run for Likud leader, but quickly turned into a heated exchange regarding accusations by Landau that the press does not demand answers from the Prime Minister.
Asked if he plans to run against Sharon, Landau – who was fired from the Cabinet by Sharon several months ago for his anti-expulsion positions - said, "One thing has to be clear: Prime Minister Sharon will not be the lone candidate running for head of the Likud. He is now heading a government that is rebelling against the Likud."
Aryeh Golan: There is also Binyamin Netanyahu [who might run for Likud head]...
UL: ...I will make my decision when the time comes. But what truly bothers me, with all the questions that you are asking me, and they are important questions, is why the press does not ask questions of the Prime Minister.
AG: – Well, you asked me that already –
UL: – and I am still not receiving any answers.
AG: – Well, this morning I would like to discuss you, Mr. Landau -
UL: – I am happy, but you have to ask the Prime Minister [Golan is talking at the same time] where he is leading us with his policies.
AG: - I have marked down the questions that you would like me to ask the Prime Minister –
UL: – You just talked a moment ago about the Hamas [the report stated that Hamas refuses to disarm, that Israel allowed Hamas members to take part in the talks in Egypt, that Hamas will run in the coming Palestinian Authority elections, and that a strengthened Hamas will be part of the Palestinian Authority coalition and possibly part of the negotiating team – ed.]. Why doesn't anyone ask the Prime Minister why our government did not intervene just a few months ago when Hamas took part in the elections in violation of the Oslo Agreement – and in opposition to the government's position? Why doesn't the Prime Minister raise his voice now when Hamas is bidding for a position within the Palestinian Authority National Council? They promised us disengagement! But now we hear from Peres that thousands of them [Arabs from Gaza] will come here to work by us! What type of disengagement is this? He has to give us some answers!
AG: Mr. Landau, this is not the topic of our discussion, I'm sorry.
UL: – I must tell you that the main subject on our agenda is why the PM doesn't give an accounting of what he does, and why the media allow him to systematically evade giving such an accounting? Why do they allow him to make declarations without having to answer questions? A press that respects itself –
AG: – But look, you're also not answering questions!
UL: – You know what? Invite the PM [on air] and ask him questions! It can't be that we only hear his declarations –
AG: – I hereby at this moment invite the Prime Minister, Mr. Sharon, to be interviewed on our Morning Magazine. By the way, we do this every day.
UL: – and tell him something else: that if he doesn't appear, you won't publicize his declarations. Just three days ago, he blamed a large group in the Likud of planning to topple the government. He can malign, and the media give him [an open microphone], and no one comes and asks him hard questions... It turns out that it's easier for the Prime Minister to give up parts of our homeland and uproot settlers from their homes, than it is for him to engage in dialogue with people in his own party. You know, a few months ago, we [the 13 Likud "loyalists" who oppose the disengagement plan] made a decision to vote in favor of the budget on its first reading, and we said that this was an opportunity for dialogue [with the Prime Minister] to see how we can bridge the gaps, how we can get a referendum... Why doesn't he go to the public, and why doesn't he sit down [with us] and engage in negotiations? The press must ask him these questions!
AG: OK, so you asked, and let's see if you get an answer, like we do.
UL: (sarcastically) Thank you very much.
AG: (in kind) You're welcome.
Political analyst Dr. Aaron Lerner of IMRA noted that Mr. Sharon's last broadcast interview was a long television interview last month with comedian Eli Yatzpan, who openly states that he "adores" Sharon. "Yatzpan's most hard-hitting question was how he puts up with having opponents in the Likud Party," Lerner writes.
Respected Israeli journalist Nahum Barnea, writing in the most recent edition of the monthly media publication "The Seventh Eye," admitted that most of the Israeli media has acted more like the watch dog of the disengagement plan than that of democracy. He wrote that this mistake should be acknowledged now, before it gets worse.